R9500 Does Anyone here have an IC R-9500?

[MStep]

When I was a much younger SWL'er, I recall vividly looking at the Harris communication radios that were available. The company is now known as L3Harris' Rochester, New York. Some of the radios used by our troops cost nearly $250K each. There are some, like the AN/PRC-117F Multiband/Multimission Radio which only cost about $70K.

I like the KUHN receiver in your picture. I got stuck with one of those too---- I thought it was junk at the time, but now I finally realize how ahead of its time it was--- super-regenerative receiver and all ! I had the infamous Model 353-B.

 

[MStep]

I have one. I used if for everything from Sat reception to HF radio work. It’s definitely the best performing HF radio I’ve owned.

Right now it sits in a rack and is used to dial in to a specific targeted frequencies etc.

Given the cost and the amazing platform, I’m somewhat disappointed that Icom didn’t roll out further firmware updates to add features and functionality. But all in all it’s the best overall “DC to Daylight” radio I’ve ever owned, performance wise.

I would expect nothing less from the founder and CEO of Radio Reference Lindsay. I made it as far as the 9000, but isn't it amazing how these radios get relegated to a rack, usually tuned to one or two specific frequencies, and how something like the SDS200, which cost about 1/20th of the cost of one of those "legend" radios, becomes our main interest?

 

[eorange]

I have one. I used if for everything from Sat reception to HF radio work. It’s definitely the best performing HF radio I’ve owned.

Right now it sits in a rack and is used to dial in to a specific targeted frequencies etc.

Given the cost and the amazing platform, I’m somewhat disappointed that Icom didn’t roll out further firmware updates to add features and functionality. But all in all it’s the best overall “DC to Daylight” radio I’ve ever owned, performance wise.

@blantonl So for reference...what's your 2nd best performing receiver, and how far away is the performance of that one?

 

[iMONITOR]

250K for a radio. Do they intercept aliens or something?

Government / Military get all their stuff for free. We pay for it!

 

[Razvedchik]

In my previous job I bought a 9500 for a project and logged a lot of time on it. The high price tag buys you a very sensitive receiver with high-end filters and more. But, I found it to be way outdated. I wanted to throw it into the network and remote it but it was either too clunky or just impossible. I recommended the 8600 for the follow on.
I use PRC-117's at work. For that price tag, it will transmit anywhere 30MHz and up, Sat or line-of-site, any encryption, and it's rugged. But yes, the 117 and the 9500 are priced for the government.

 

[Alain]

I like the KUHN receiver in your picture.

Thanks Mstep!

I listened to the Newark [New Jersey} riots, back in July, 1967 on that KUHN VHF radio. It was my very first scanner-type receiver. My receiver was painted green!

When I bought it, I also purchased the optional vertical antenna. The antenna was the traditional collapsable-type, extending about 24" tall and it had a coil at the base with a plastic sleeve that slid over it to shield it from the weather.

I mounted it to the rear of the radio's 1/2" plywood cabinet [yup, the radio's enclosure was plywood!] and it just fit perfectly mounted on the radio.

The antenna had a aluminum mounting bracket with a Plex-i-glas center [to isolate it from the aluminum mounting bracket] where the antenna mounted to the mounting bracket. The antenna connector was nothing more than a female banana plug at its base...and a corresponding female antenna jack in the rear radio's frame. Just add your coax "jumper" of 6" and you're done.

Had great fun with that receiver. It served me well indeed! I think I may have found the add for it in a 60's issue of Popular Electronics. Loved looking through those kind of ads...

 

[SatHunter]

"At lot of receiver" is definitely understating it a bit !!! And my recollection is that on the Icom R-9000, you could view analog television right on the receiver's CRT screen. I would be very surprised if the Federal Communications Commission (along with other government and military installations) did not have more than a few of these receivers scattered around the United States. Along with a few lucky hams and SWL's. In addition to being an amazing receiver, it's quite a "showpiece" for the shack.

Just saw a really nice 9000 sell yesterday on auction for almost $2000. Still a bargain in comparison to its original retail price. That was in Canadian dollars too so maybe around $1200 or so in U.S. funds. It hurt to lose out on it but I couldn't justify paying that much money for a second hand radio. Maybe if it was brand new sealed in the box. Sigh...

 

[KB4MSZ]

I have one installed under-dash in my Continental GT.

 

[WPXS472]

I know a guy who acquired a R9000 free. I won't divulge the circumstances. Some years ago, when the R7000 was the rage, I met a fellow who claimed to have visited one of the 3 letter agencies in DC, and saw a wall full of 7000's. All tuned to cellular frequencies. Hmmm.

 

[N9JIG]

I was provided a tour of 2 different FCC Monitoring Posts back in the 1980's; Grand Island NE and Allegan MI. Both had several of the R700 and R71 radios that were the cream of the crop at the time. They also had a bunch of other high-end gear that I don't recall now, but they could have been Collins.

When I worked for a local police department back in the early 80's the FCC had a regional office in town and in the parking lot of the office complex they had a garage for a couple vans and cars that had several receivers, mostly scanners. They then acquired an RV (reminded me of the EM-50 in Stripes) that was chock full of Icom radios. They parked it at our police station parking lot when not using it for security and left us the keys in case it had to be moved. Of course I had to move it a couple times... They had a couple off-the-shelf scanners in it as well.